Device for the ocular determination of any discrepancy in the luminescence capacity of the surface of a tooth for the purpose of identifying any caried area on the surface to the tooth

Abstract

A device for the ocular determination of any discrepancy in the luminescence capacity of the surface of a tooth (4) for the purpose of assessing the extent of any part (4a) of the surface of the tooth exhibiting caries and/or a coating and/or a defect. The surface of the tooth (4) is illuminated by a light (3) with a predetermined wavelength and/or wave range, for example a laser light. The luminescence capacity of the surface of the tooth at another wavelength and/or within another wave range shall be assessed, when any caried or similar part (4a) will show a discrepancy in relation to the normal luminescence capacity of the tooth (4) and will be perceived as a darker area. If the surface of the tooth (4) is illuminated by means of a light which is visible to the eye, then the observer (5) shall use an absorption filter (6) capable of absorbing light at the emitted wavelength or wave range reflected from the surface of the tooth. The invention may also be used in the course of treatment in order to determine when the caried part has been removed from the enamel surface and/or dentine surface produced by the treatment.

I claim: 
     
       1. A device for the ocular determination of any discrepancy in the luminescence capacity of the surface of a tooth for assessing the extent of a caried or another defective area of the surface of the tooth, comprising a light generating device for generating light limited at least within a predetermined wavelength range for illuminating the surface of the tooth, and for causing luminescence of the surface of the tooth, the wavelength range of the light being visible to the human eye, an absorption filter for eliminating reflections and luminescence within the wavelength range of the light generating device such that ocular determination of any discrepancy in the luminescence capacity of the tooth surface occurs outside the wavelength range wherein the absorption filter eliminates light only within the wavelength range emitted by the device, whereby every area with a luminescence capacity differing from the luminescence capacity of the surface of a sound tooth will be perceived as a dark area. 
     
     
       2. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the light-generating device generates light of a narrow band of wavelengths. 
     
     
       3. The device as claimed in claim 1 or 2, further comprising a fiber-optic lead for transmitting the light emitted by the light-generating device toward the tooth surface. 
     
     
       4. The device as claimed in claim 3, wherein a free end of the fiber-optic lead is treated with an optical substance to produce a divergent luminous flux. 
     
     
       5. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the absorption filter is contained in spectacles worn by the observer. 
     
     
       6. The device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the light generating device is a laser. 
     
     
       7. The device of claim 3, wherein a free end of the fiber-optic lead interacts with an optical element to produce a divergent luminous flux. 
     
     
       8. A device for the ocular determination of any discrepancy in the luminescence capacity of the surface of a tooth produced by treatment of a tooth for assessing the extent of a caried area during the treatment, comprising a light source for at least intermittently illuminating the tooth surface produced by the treatment during the course of the treatment, the light source generating light at least within a predetermined wavelength range visible to a human eye, an absorption filter for eliminating reflections and luminescence of the surface of the tooth within the wavelength range such that the surface is directly visually assessed over a different non-modified, reflected wavelength range to permit determination, on the basis of any discrepancy observed between the luminescence capacity of the surface of a sound tooth and the luminescence of the surface of a caried tooth, the extent of the caried area and the extent to which the caried area has been removed. 
     
     
       9. The device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the light source is attached to a tool and is directed towards the area being treated. 
     
     
       10. A device for the ocular determination of any discrepancy in the luminescence capacity of the surface of a tooth for assessing the extent of a caried or another defective area of the surface of the tooth, comprising a light generating device for generating light limited at least within a predetermined wavelength range for illuminating the surface of the tooth, and for causing luminescence of the surface of the tooth, the wavelength range of the light being visible to the human eye, an absorption filter for eliminating reflections and luminescence within the wavelength range of the light generating device such that ocular determination of any discrepancy in the luminescence capacity of the tooth surface occurs outside the wavelength range wherein the absorption filter eliminates light within the wavelength range emitted by the device, whereby every area with a luminescence capacity differing from the luminescence capacity of the surface of a sound tooth will be perceived as a dark area.